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Reform the Prisons Without Going Soft on Crime

Proposals to give judges more discretion and cut mandatory minimums endanger public safety.

By

Tom Cotton

Aug. 15, 2018 7:02 p.m. ET

The House earlier this year passed a bill to improve conditions in federal prisons and encourage prisoners to participate in rehabilitation programs. These are worthy goals. Once a criminal has paid his debt to society, everyone should hope he gets back on his feet and becomes a productive, law-abiding citizen.

While the House bill has some flaws, the Senate can fix them on a bipartisan basis. But under no circumstances should Congress cut mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes or give judges more discretion to reduce...